Definitely future branches. Ailments are easy to identify ... the coral usually just recedes.

Heres my birdsnest growth diary. This sequence represents about 5 months of growth.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMGP0490.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMGP0526.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMGP0552.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMGP0592.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMGP0637.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMGP0686.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...e/IMGP0927.jpg

Drew,
it is new growth on that frag of montipora digitata and it was already starting when I sold it you. Looks great and very healthy. Good job. Great looking frag if I say so myself.:wink:

Doug,
great growth on that frag you got from me as well, if you place that particular birdsnest in a lower light area it will turn a cool green colour and looks awesome.:mrgreen:

Post a good clear picture and I'll see if I can ID it for you.

wow that birdsnest looks so nice, i wanted to go for a smaller colony but it seems to grow at a pretty steady rate, think i'll just go for a frag, what kind of lighting do you keep it under?

You guys are definitely right. New growth! One week comparison:

http://xd7.xanga.com/7c8d842a7823014...s111120075.jpghttp://x56.xanga.com/fb983634d507915...s112157278.jpg

That is great growth!
Are you going to keep taking photos of its growth?

I hope to, Catherine. If I can remember to do it every week, that would be awesome!

4x24w HOT5s

ahh 4x24's..i guess i should be ok with my lighting then, wasn't sure if it was enough light for a birdsnest, i've heard that there one of the hardier sps, as are digitatas, is this true?